Fort Myers Police Department officers placed on leave after the release of the Freeh report say they're clueless as to why they're out of work and they're asking Chief Derrick Diggs for answers.

The NBC2 Investigators sat down with attorney Robert Burandt who is representing four of the five officers placed on leave after an audit of FMPD revealed allegations of corruption and a toxic culture.

"You call them allegations, I call them rumors," Burandt said.

"As far as I know, that report was written based off rumors and innuendos."

The officers have been on leave since late February, but Burandt says they have not been told why and that there is no internal affairs investigation. Burandt says he has requested a meeting with Diggs and City Manager Saeed Kazemi to get more answers.

"I've asked for a meeting through the city attorney's office to meet with the police chief and the city manager," Burandt said.

"As far as I know, the police chief and city manager are the only ones that know why these officers are on administrative leave with pay."

Only part of the Freeh report has been publicly released, and Kazemi maintains what's been kept secret is exempt from public records laws. In a statement sent to NBC2, Kazemi says he doesn't know what is alleged in the unreleased report.

"That portion of the report will remain unreleased until it is no longer exempt. I do not have a copy of this section of the report, nor do I have any knowledge of the contents of this section," Kazemi said.

In March, Diggs requested the U.S. Attorney's Office investigate officer misconduct within FMPD. Burandt says he's heard the FBI is now heading up that investigation. Kazemi said he does "not have the information necessary to confirm if there is any FBI investigation."

Lt. Jay Rodriguez declined to comment for this story.

Even though no specific allegations have been made against the officers, Burandt says they maintain they've done nothing wrong. He says they at least deserve to know why they're on leave.

"That's the unfairness of the situation because you can't even defend yourself," Burandt said.

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